After lunch we trudged uphill a bit for our other big site in Caen, the Women's Abbey and its Eglise de la Trinite. The abbey is now a government center for the region of Normandy, but the 11th century church, one of the gems of Romanesque architecture, remains, undamaged and very accessible.
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| A gorgeous church |
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It's an abbey, and so very stark and simple; but stark can also
be beautiful |
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| Elevation with 6-part ribbed vaulting |
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| Very little ornamentation |
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| Except for the occasional impish image |
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| Thus |
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| And thus |
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| Altar and transept |
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| Looking back to nave |
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Mathilde's tomb; interestingly, in the 900+ years
since her death, neither the wars of religion,
kingdom, nation, or ideology have disturbed it |
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| Now four-part groin vaulting in the apse |
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| The Trinity |
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| Famous women of the Scriptures |
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| Famous women saints |
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| Chancel light |
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The two abbeys positioned in sight of one another, about a mile
apart |
1 comment:
Didn't know Mathilde was buried there. Interesting that her tomb was never vandalized.
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